West Virginia Wilderness Bill passes Hou se

“The WV Wilderness bill passed the House and goes to the Senate. Byrd and Rockefeller are on board, and Bush has indicated he will sign.

Notable additions: Dolly Sods North, Otter Creek, Cranberry.

New Wilderness: Roaring Plains West, Spice Run, Big Draft.

Roaring Plains West includes Roaring Plains and Flatrock Plains Trails and Canyon Rim down to Long Run. It's everything west and south of the pipeline swath except the radio towers.

Detailed topo maps can be found at:

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200804230480”

“This is great news Geo! A big thanks to you and the WVHC for all your hard work. I will remember and thank you guys again when I take my grandkids there some day.”

“Cool.”

“I wonder why they didn't get the section with Bear Rocks, so close to it and it's one of the best places!”

“Bear Rocks was never owned by the Forest Service. The Nature Conservancy picked it up and owns it. They manage it pretty much like wilderness anyway, except for all the friggin signs.

Of course, Nature Conservancy got DSN plus mineral rights and deeded all that over to the Forest Service.

The parcel that's left unprotected is Dobbins Slashings Bog, to our chagrin. The coal company was going to deed it over to the WV DEC as mitigation for wetlands it wanted to mine, but some federal agency nixed the mining deal and there went the bog right back out to the mining company. Then the mining company went belly-up and we have no idea how things will settle out.

If that bog can be protected, it will mean the entire watershed south of the divide will be saved. Everything north of the divide is largely mining or wind farm. We would like to protect a buffer strip for a mile or two north of the divide. Not sure how that might happen at the moment, unless some sugar daddy comes along.”

“Actually, to respond to Creek Dancer, my involvement has been minimal. The WV Wilderness Coalition includes the WVHC and other groups and some of our members have been very active in the coalition. I sat in on some planning sessions early in the process, and the board voted to support the coalition throughout.

But the coalition did all the grunt work, and there was a lot of that. Anybody who wants can go to wvwild.org and thank them for all their hard work. All these new wilderness areas will be their legacy to us and those who follow.”

“UPDATE: the bill goes before the Senate this week.”

“The bill passed committee yesterday. Action by the full Senate will likely come in June, or perhaps July.

Ladies and gentlemen, we will have more than twice as much West Virginia wilderness in which to play.

Dolly Sods North is spectacular. Raven Ridge and Cabin Mountain trails have expansive views from the many meadows and rock outcrops.

Roaring Plains West is also spectacular. Mount Porte Crayon is a trailess peak that is a healthy bushwack, and all that is protected, as well as the Canyon Rim Trail. I would like to have seen the other Roaring Plains parcels included, but what passed muster is very good.

Otter Creek is a sliver of an expansion.

Cranberry addition is another great addition. It's wild and remote.

Not too familiar with the other areas myself, but I assume they are also wonderful additions.

The other major disappointment was Seneca Creek. It remains a roadless backcountry area that has a measure of protection from the Forest Service, until somebody decides it should be timbered.

But we take what we got, and I expect another round of efforts will be forthcoming sometime in the future. All the areas we submitted were thoroughly researched, mapped out, photographed, and all the special features have been inventoried. The people serving in the coalition worked hard, long, and effectively. Beyond the inventories, they lobbied politicians, presented the case in local venues, held fundraisers, responded to attacks by wilderness opponents, set up letter-writing campaigns to politicians and newspapers, sat through endless training sessions and brainstorming parties, and a number of other things I'm not aware of.

They are the people to whom we all owe thanks and gratitude. The new wilderness areas will be their legacy.

And no, I was not a member of that coalition, though I did sit in on some brainstorming sessions and offer a few minor suggestions. And that is why I understand their work and admire each of them.”

“Thanks for your efforts and your report, Big Daddy!!

I'll be in Cranberry Wilderness 13-16 June with Fridge and the gang.
It's been four or five years since I've been there.”

“The addition is on the west side of the original parcel.”

“I looked at the maps you sent. Is that the former Back Country section?”

“I think the original wilderness is the old backcountry and this is either in addition to the backcountry or part of the backcountry that didn't make the original wilderness designation.”

“Now you've confused the hell outta me.

No matter, I'll enjoy stompin' around up there.

What's the total acreage now...............for the whole thing?”

“Well this time it passed for real and goes to the president.

YeeHaWWWWWWWW”

“For real??

That's because we finally have a real president.”

“Well they passed it last summer and the youknowwhos managed to find ways to delay it. I think they were calling it a land grab. What land grab? We already own it, lock, stock, and wilderness signs.

Dolly Sods North, Roaring Plains, Cranberry addition, and several others. Also new areas in Virginia.”

“Laugh my #&%!$in' ass off!!!

Land grab my ass.”

“Marko, who is land?

'32oz”

“You talkin' to me?

There's no one else here......”

“Yes I want to know who land is, and why you want him to grab your ass..

'32oz”

“Why do you silly libbies hate this country?”

“what area would make up the new wilderness?”

“YOWza.”

“We may have to trek on out and see these WV areas ourselves”

“Hey-ull yes we will.

I hear tell there are bears on Roaring Plains.”

“Bear cubs!”

“Why is markO grabbing some guy's a$$?”

“Come here Stovie and let me show ya.”

“ENS, see the first post in the thread for the areas included in the bill.”

“very awesome!!!! I am a big fan of Roaring and Flatrock Plains. I don't know much about the other areas.

only thing is.... I can't imagine Obama signing off on this.. He hates the environment. not!!!!”

“That dirty dog!”